Data monitoring system

ABSTRACT

A data monitoring system for use with yarn winders and the like including a yarn-break accumulator which measures and accumulates the number of yarn-breaks which occur for each bobbin-cone combination of the winder. An indicator or red-light accumulator is provided for measuring and accumulating the number of red lights which occur as a result of the failure of the winder to successfully tie together broken strands of yarn. An efficiency monitor is provided in combination with the yarn-break accumulator and the red-light accumulator and a slub accumulator is also provided. A rejected bobbin accumulator system is provided to detect and count the number of bobbins which are rejected having residue yarn thereon. A bad knot accumulator provides an accumulated count of the number of bad knots which occur for each individual bobbin-cone combination and a scanning system is provided in conjunction with the efficiency monitor whereby a plurality of bobbin-cone combinations or spindles can be scanned over a predetermined time period whereby the efficiency of these bobbin-cone combinations in operation can be determined.

[54] DATA MONITORING SYSTEM [72] lnventors: Fujio Abe, Wake Forest;Clifford R. Crawford, St. Pauls, both of NC.

[73] Assignee: Burlington Industries, Inc., Greensboro,

[22] Filed: Nov. 18, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 877,674

[52] 11.8. C1 ..235/92 PD, 235/92 ST, 235/92 R, 242/28, 242/36 [51] Int.Cl. ..G06m 3/12, B65h 69/04 [58] Field of Search ..226/100, 11;242/28,36, 35.5-35.6;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,736,505 2/1956 Furst et al..242/36 2,752,103 6/1956 Furst ..242/36 3,124,316 3/1964 OBrien etal... 235/92 PD 3,301,647 1/ 1967 Shafer 235/92 PD 3,458,912 8/1969Werffeli... ..242/35 6 3,491,961 1/1970 Jenny ..242/35.5 3,003,69110/1961 Strandberg ..235/92 ST [451 Mar. 7, 1972 [5 7] ABSTRACT A datamonitoring system for use with yarn winders and the like including ayarn-break accumulator which measures and accumulates the number ofyarn-breaks which occur for each bobbin-cone combination of the winder.An indicator or redlight accumulator is provided for measuring andaccumulating the number of red lights which occur as a result of thefailure of the winder to successfully tie together broken strands ofyarn. An efficiency monitor is provided in combination with theyam-break accumulator and the red-light accumulator and a slubaccumulator is also provided. A rejected bobbin accumulator system isprovided to detect and count the number of bobbins which are rejectedhaving residue yarn thereon. A bad knot accumulator provides anaccumulated count of the number of bad knots which occur for eachindividual bobbincone combination and a scanning system is provided inconjunction with the efiiciency monitor whereby a plurality ofbobbin-cone combinations or spindles can be scanned over a predeterminedtime period whereby the efficiency of these bobbin-cone combinations inoperation can be determined.

23 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 24 VOL 75 amt.

W... FEEIER R60 L IGHT coo/v r55 Patented March 7, 1972 6 Sheets-Sheet lW 4 W m UKE fffl le OVG INVENTORS I $4M ATTORNEYS DATA MONITORING SYSTEMThe present invention relates to monitoring systems and moreparticularly to monitoring systems for use with yarn winders wherebyinformation with respect to machine performance can be gathered andprovided for the use of supervisory personnel for the optimization ofmachine and manpower utilization. The present invention monitors andtotalizes the perfomlance of each bobbin-cone or spindle unit in aneffort to pinpoint mechanical malfunctions, operator ineffectiveness anddefective yarn running conditions and provides the maintenance andsupervisory staff with valuable process information.

With the introduction of high-speed automated textile machinery,management and supervisory personnel require accurate and reliablemachine-monitoring systems for the optimization of machine and manpowerutilization. The present invention fulfills the need for such monitoringsystems and provides management and supervisory personnel with totalperformance information for each bobbin-cone or spindle unit in a yarnwinder.

Thus, the general purpose of this invention is to provide a series ofmonitoring systems which gather information for management andsupervisory personnel and which provide a powerful tool for effectivecontrol over manpower and machinery.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a monitoringsystem which totalizes the performance of each spindle unit in a winderto enable management to pinpoint mechanical malfunctions, operatorineffectiveness and defective-yarn running conditions.

Another object is to provide an invention which enables the attachmentof signal-conditioning circuits directly to the internal electricalwiring of each spindle unit thereby reducing the number of externalsensors, switches and cams required in the generation of counter-drivingimpulses.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art as the disclosure is made in thefollowing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention asillustrated in the accompanying sheets of drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a known basic winder spindle;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a known spindle electricalcircuit;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of certain embodiments of this inventiontogether with the circuit of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of the efiiciency monitoring systemand scanning arrangement;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the power supply and scanningarrangement of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the slub accumulator system of thisinvention;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the bad knot accumulator system; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic of the rejected bobbin accumulator system of thisinvention.

Because the winding process is one of the final stages during yarnmanufacture, it serves as a convenient inspection point for determiningthe quality of yarn produced. The winding process involves the transferof yarn wound on spinning bobbins to cones and each cone consists of acontinuous length of yarn which has been transferred from a number ofspinning bobbins. As a result, a series of splices are required betweenthe tailing end of the yarn on one bobbin and the leading end of theyarn on another bobbin.

A basic winding frame or winder spindle exemplary of those known in theart is shown in FIG. 1 and includes a stationary shaft which maintains abobbin 22 in an upright position to facilitate the transfer of yarn 24onto the positively driven cone spindle 26. Other elements are used inthe winder spindle and these include the tension discs 28 and 29, theslub detector 30, the slub knife 32 and tension motor 34 which togetherwith tension discs 28 and 29 maintain sufficient drag on the yarn 24 toprevent backlash and tangles. The tension discs and the tension motoralso act to purposely break weak sections of the yarn. The slub detector30 inspects the yarn for thickness or density variations and actuatesthe knife 32 when defective yarn is sensed. slub-detector sensingelements employ either electrostatic (capacitive), optical (photocell)or mechanical (gauge) means for its operation.

The Schlafhorst autoconer winder (as an example of those known in theart) is of European design and was introduced into the American textileindustry in an effort to automate the winding process. Each of thesewinders is equipped with 50 automatic spindles composed of five groupsof IO spindle sections. An automatic knot-tying mechanism 36 traversesthe length of each 10 spindle section and performs operations previouslydone manually. This mechanism is known as the knotter. The knotter isfully automatic and moves on a carriage 38. The knotter pauses at eachof the unproductive spindles to perform the required corrective action.A built-in trip mechanism ejects the spent bobbin 22 and replenishes thespindle with a full bobbin. The knot-tying mechanism automaticallysplices the leading end of the full bobbin to the tail end of the spentbobbin and provides a continuous yarn to the cone 26. The ejected bobbinthen falls onto a belt conveyor 40 to be collected at a centralcollection point.

The knotter 36 in FIG. I is shown in the servicing position and providesthe motivating force to eject the spent bobbin 42 onto an empty-bobbinconveyor 40. A full bobbin 22 is then fed from the bobbin magazine 44into position on the stationary shaft 20. The knotter head assembly 46splices both ends of the yarn 24 together and after completing a splice,the spindle restarts and continues to run until the yarn feeler 48detects a broken yarn. The spindle also becomes unproductive when thecone 26 has been wound to full capacity and the full-cone position isshown clotted in FIG. I.

A yarn-irregularity detector called the knot tester 50 is mounted on theknotter assembly 46 to detect and sever any long-tailed or untrimmedknots. In addition, an operator warning or indicator light 52 commonlycalled the red light" is illuminated when the yarn feeler 48 isconsecutively activated following a series of unsuccessful tyingattempts by the knotter. The electronic failure control unit 54 iselectrically coupled to the yarn feeler 48 and is programmed todisengage the spindle unit following a predetermined series ofunsuccessful tying attempts by the knotter. Once this red-lightcondition occurs, the knotter makes no attempt to service the spindieand bypasses it on successive passes. Until the winder attendantperforms the corrective action the spindle remains disengaged andunproductive.

The winder attendant performs a number of tasks essential to theoperation of the winder. He replenishes each bobbin magazine 44,corrects tangled-yarn conditions, removes slaughs off bobbins, doffsfull cones, and performs other corrective tasks to ensure uninterruptedrunning conditions. Productivity and maximum utilization of theautomatic winder depends to a great extent upon the effectiveness of theoperator in performing his assigned tasks.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a known spindleelectrical circuit. The switch 60 is mechanically coupled to the yarnfeeler 48 and controls the activities of the tension motor 34 as well asthe electronic failure control unit 54. During the normal course ofoperation, the switch 60 applies power to the tension motor 34 andremains in this position until a yarn break occurs. When a yarn breakdoes occur, switch 60 transfers and disconnects the tension motor 34.The switch 60 remains in this position until the yarn feeler 48 returnsto its normal operating condition. The switch 60 also serves as a meansfor providing energy to the electronic failure control 54. This controlis programmed in a known manner to mechanically disengage the spindleunit following a series of unsuccessful retying attempts and activates asolenoid plunger, which in turn, transfers switch 62. The switch 62energizes the red light 52 and remains in this position until theoperator corrects the fault and resets the red-light reset button 64(FIG. I).

FIG. 3 shows the yarn-break accumulator, the red-light accumulator andthe efficiency monitor of this invention. Although each of these systemsis illustrated in combination it should be understood that theyarn-break accumulator and the red-light accumulator may be usedindividually and without the presence of the other. However, theefficiency monitor is preferably used in combination with both theyarnbreak accumulator and the red-light accumulator.

The yarn-break accumulator derives its input from the yarn feeler switch60 and when a yarn break occurs, the switch 60 transfers the AC sourcefrom the tension motor 34 to the diode 66. This diode rectifies theincoming AC and provides a rectified AC signal to the filter networkincluding the resistor 68 and capacitor 70. This filtered negative DCvoltage is applied to the pulse-forming network including resistors 72and 74 and capacitor 76. Capacitor 76 and resistor 74, being adifferentiating network, generate a narrow negative-going pulse whenswitch 60 transfers and transistor 78, preferably being common to theoutputs of ten spindle yarn-break networks, accumulates the resultingyarn breaks that occur within each section while diode 80 isolates andprevents interaction between adjacent spindles. The base resistor 82 ofthe yarnbreak driver transistor 78 provides the proper counter drivingcircuit for the yarn-break counter 84.

The red-light accumulator system illustrated in FIG. 3 derives itsdriving power from the pulse forming network connected to the red-lightswitch 62. Following a series of unsuccessful knot-tying attempts, theelectronic failure control 54 activates a solenoid (not shown) andtransfers switch 62 to the on red light position. Series resistors 86and 88, being a voltage divider network, divide the 1 8 volts, forexample, applied thereacross. During normal spindle operation switch 62maintains point B at zero potential but when switch 62 transfers to theon red light position, a voltage develops across resistor 88 and acrossthe differentiating network comprising capacitor 90 and resistor 92. Thepulse derived from this network drives the red-light counter transistor94 and the redlight counter 96. The isolation diode 98 preventsinteraction between similar networks of adjacent spindles. Thetransistor 94, being common to all similar networks, accumulates thered-light activity for the 10 spindle section as does the redlightcounter 96.

The spindle efficiency monitor determines the running efficiency of the10 spindle section. A master 10 position stepping switch, as illustratedin FIGS. 4 and 5, polls each spindle sequentially for active spindlesand each spindle when polled responds with either an output signal foran operating spindle or the absence of a signal for an idle spindle.This sequential sampling continues until the programmed number ofsamples have been taken, the sampling being done in sets of 100, 1,000or 10,000, for example. At the end of this sampling period the counter100 displays the total active spindles which represents the percentrunning efficiency during the recorded period. As an example, a total of856 counts recorded at the end of 1,000 samples represents a runningefficiency of 85.6 percent.

Unproductive spindles are attributed to yarn breaks, red lights andcones wound to capacity. The inverter circuit employing transistor 102serves as a condition detector or sampling gate and diodes 104 and 106provide an OR input to the inverter base circuit. These diodes areconnected to the yarnbreak circuit at point A and to the red-lightcircuit at point B, respectively. Either a yarn-break or a red-lightoccurrence causes the base current to flow in transistor 102. Thisbasecurrent flow saturates the transistor 102 and causes collector pointC to drop to zero potential. Sampling is accomplished by sequentiallyapplying a l 8 volt pulse, for example, to each of the sampling points,e.g., terminal 108. An operating spindle produces an output at point Cby nature of the nonconducting transistor 102 while a nonoperatingspindle does not produce an output at point C.

The switch 110 operates as a full cam detector and is located in serieswith point C and the input of the efficiency counter driver transistor112 is preferably a mercury switch installed on the full-cone tripmechanism. The switch remains closed during cone build-up and opens onlyafter the cone diameter meets the required size. Again, isolation diode114 is provided to prevent interaction between similar networks ofadjacent spindles and the machine-run switch 116 can be placed incircuit with the efficiency counter 100 so that no efficiency count willbe registered as long as the spindle is not in operation.

FIG. 4 illustrates a simplified block diagram of the centralizedscanning system which is utilized in conjunction with the efficiencymonitoring system to enable each respective efficiency counter 100 tomeasure the efficiency ofa group of 10 spindles. A master 10 positionscanning array provides the sampling pulses for the entire system offive sections having 10 spindles in each section. All sampling points onspindles No. l, e.g., terminals 108, 108' etc., are commonly driven byscanner bus 118, and in a similar manner, all other sampling points aredriven by a respective scanner bus 119-127. The master scannercontinually samples each of the IO-spindle positions and repeats itssequence until the programmed number of samplings have been taken. Thepredetermining counter 128 stops the sampling sequence following a totalof 100, 1,000 or 10,000 samplings, for example, and the totalized countsdisplayed on the efficiency counter 100, 100', etc., at the end of thiscount period represent the running efficiency for each section. At theend of this display period the predetermined and efficiency counters maybe manually reset to begin another cycle.

The power supply 130 is coupled to the predetermining counter, which inturn, is coupled to pulser 132 and to stepper 134. The pulses producedby the pulser 132 are fed to the predetermining counter 128 and to thestepper 134 so that the movable contact 136 is sequentially stepped withrespect to the busses 118-127.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the central power supply and masterscanner. This unit provides the scanning pulses and power to the entiremonitoring system. Transformer T supplies power to the output filtercapacitor 138 through full wave rectifiers 140 and 142. The resultingoutput voltage supplies the counters of the various accumulator systemsand the -18 volt terminals in each of the spindle units. Transformer T,supplies power to filter capacitor 144 through full-wave rectifiers 146and 148 and this rectified output supplies power to the predeterminingcounter coil 150, stepper relay coil 152 and the sampling busses as theyare sequentially energized. Transformer T, also supplies filtercapacitor through fullwave rectifiers 162 and 164 with the output acrosscapacitor 160 being a positive 18 volts, for example, which providespower to the timing oscillator and to the scanner output transistor 166.

The timing oscillator circuit illustrated in FIG. 5 includes aunijunction transistor 168 coupled to the timing R-C network whichincludes resistors 170, 172, and 174 as well as capacitor 176. Variableresistor 172 controls the rate of timing and the output of theoscillator drives output transistor 166. The relay coil 178 is theoutput load of transistor 166 and provides driving impulsessimultaneously to the predetermined count coil 150 and to the steppingrelay coil 152. The duration of the closure of relay contacts 180determines the length of the sampling pulse and the scanner gatingtransistors O Q provide the output to the scanner busses 118-127,respectively. The gating transistors extend the life of thestepping-switch contacts by allowing the base current of low magnitudeto flow through the respective-switch contacts while the greatersampling current flows through the transistor emitter-collector paths.Diodes 182, 184 and 186 serve as protective devices to suppressinductive kicks" that may develop across their respective coils.

FIG. 6 illustrates the slub accumulator system of this invention. Eachbobbin-cone combination or spindle unit includes a known electrostaticdetector which detects the presence of slubs or thin spots in the yarn24 as the yarn passes through the detector 30. The detector is coupledto a detector amplifier 192 the output of which is coupled to a knifedriver circuit and knife solenoid 194. A power unit 196 is coupledthrough a relay coil 198 and through an isolation diode 200 to the knifedriver and knife solenoid 194. When a slub or thin spot is detected bydetector 30 the circuit is activated and a pulse is produced so that theknife solenoid causes the knife 32 to be activated to cut the yarn 24and to eliminate the slub or thin spot. Simultaneously, the pulseproduced in the circuit activates the relay coil 198 to close relaycontact 204. This causes transistor 206 to conduct and a pulse input isprovided to the slub counter 208. In this way the presence of slubs orirregularities in the yarn 24 are counted and accumulated in the slubcounter 208. A series of additional isolation diodes 210, 212, 214 etc.,are provided to prevent interaction between the various spindles.

FIG. 7 illustrates the bad knot count accumulator system of thisinvention. A conventional knot detector 50 (FIG. 1) such as a lightsource 216 and a photocell 218, for example, is used to detect thepresence of badly tied knots 220. The presence of a badly tied knotcauses a current to flow through amplifier 220 and through the knifesolenoid 222 so that the knife 224 is activated to sever the surplusleads 226 and 228 of the knot. A sensitive relay coil 230 iselectrically connected across the knife solenoid 222 and causes thecontact 232 to be closed and the counter 234 to be actuated when a badknot is detected and when the knife 224 is activated to trim the knot.The coil 230 has a resistance of 2,000 ohms, for example, and draws anegligible current from the knot tester circuit and from the knifesolenoid 222.

FIG. 8 illustrates the rejected bobbin accumulator system of thisinvention. The rejected bobbin accumulator system serves to highlightsections that have a spindle or spindles with misadjusted ejectmechanisms or bobbin magazines supplied with improperly wound spinningbobbins. A bobbin yarn feeler 236 is mounted to contact rejected bobbins42 which have residue yarn thereon and the feeler is also mechanicallylinked to'the bobbin yarn switch 238, The feeler 236 and the switch 238are normally oriented in a first position, as illustrated in FIG. 8.When a bobbin having residue yarn thereon passes adjacent to the feeler236 the feeler contacts the residue yarn and moves from the firstposition to a second position. This movement also causes correspondingmovement of the bobbin switch 238 from terminal 240 to terminal 242which provides a charge path for capacitor 244. After the bobbin 42passes beyond the feeler 236 the feeler and the switch 238 return totheir normal position and the switch 238 again contacts terminal 240.The capacitor 244 then discharges through the transistor 246 whichdrives the rejected bobbin counter 248 and causes the counter toregister the presence of a bobbin 42 which has residue yarn thereon.

This invention provides a powerful tool for the effective control overmanpower and machinery. Information gathered by means of this inventionenables management to analyze trends, highlight problem areas, implementcorrective measures and to follow up on the results of correctiveaction. The various portions of this invention can be readily interfacedwith computers to provide important information desired by managementwith respect to the operation of machinery and the effectiveness ofmanpower.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. For use in combination with a winder and with a spindle electricalcircuit associated therewith having electrical inputs, an electricaltension motor in circuit therewith, a first switch in circuit with saidmotor, an indicator in circuit with at least one of said inputs and asecond switch in circuit with said indicator, a yarn-break accumulatorsystem and an indicator accumulator system comprising:

rectifier means for connection in circuit with said first switch and forproviding a rectified signal;

filter means in circuit with said rectifier means for providing afiltered DC voltage;

pulse forming means in circuit with said filter means for providingnarrow output pulses;

first amplifier means in circuit with said pulse forming means foramplifying said output pulses;

first counter means in circuit with said amplifier means for countingthe number of yarn breaks which occur,

a voltage divider having a central terminal for connection in circuitwith said second switch;

a pulse-forming network in circuit with said voltage divider;

second amplifier means in circuit with said pulse-forming network foramplifying the pulses from said network;

second counter means in circuit with said amplifier means for countingthe number of times said indicator is energized, and further incombination with an efficiency sampling gate means in circuit with saidrectifier means and with said second switch;

a scanner terminal in circuit with said gate means;

a third switch in circuit with said gate means;

third amplifier means in circuit with said third switch; and

a third counter in circuit with said amplifier means for indicating theefficiency of operation of said winder.

2. A combination as in claim 1 further including a third isolation diodein circuit between said third switch and said third amplifying means.

3. A combination as in claim 2 wherein said sampling gate meansincludes:

an OR-circuit having inputs in circuit with said second switch and withsaid rectifier means; and

an inverter circuit coupled to the output of said OR circuit.

4. A combination as in claim 3 further including a machinerun switch incircuit with said third counter for preventing actuation of said thirdcounter when said machine-run switch is open.

5. A combination as in claim 2 including a like plurality of saidyarn-break accumulator systems, said indicator accumulator system andsaid efficiency monitor systems and further including:

a power supply;

predetermined counter means in circuit with said power supply fordetermining the total number of samplings;

pulser means in circuit with said predetermined counter means forproviding pulses in response to an output from said predeterminedcounter means; and

stepper means in circuit with said pulser means and said predeterminedcounter means for sequentially electrically coupling said power supplyto predetermined groups of said scanner terminals.

6. A process monitoring system for monitoring the operations of a yarnwinding machine comprising a plurality of bobbin-cone stations forwinding yarn from a bobbin onto a cone, said machine also including anautomatic knot tier for connecting loose ends of yarn, and, at eachstation thereof, a yarn break detector, a bad knot detector and afailure detector connected to the bad knot detector for sensing apredetermined number of successive bad knots, said monitoring systemcomprising:

a full cone detector at each of said stations for sensing when said coneif filled with yarn,

a condition detector means at each of said stations connected to itsrespectively associated said yarn break detector, to said full conedetector and to said failure detector for sensing the operatingcondition of its associated station by providing a first outputcondition to indicate a nonoperating condition when either said yarnbreak detector, said full cone detector or said failure detector hasbeen activated and a second output condition to indicate an operatingcondition when neither said yarn break detector, said full cone detectornor said failure detector have been activated,

stationary electronic scanning means operatively connected to aplurality of said stations, for successively and repetitivelyinterrogating a respectively corresponding plurality of said conditiondetector means and for recording and accumulating at least one of theinstantaneous conditions thereof, and

predetermine counter means for automatically terminating theinterrogation after a predetermined number of scanning cycles to therebyprovide a direct efficiency indication after said predetermined numberof scanning cycles by counting and accumulating the percentage ofsuccessful station operating time during a predetermined time periodduring which each stations condition is successively and repetitivelysampled said predetermined number of times.

7. A process monitoring system as in claim 6 further comprising:

a failure accumulator operatively connected to said yarn break detectorsat a plurality of stations for counting and indicating the total numberof detected failures.

8. A process monitoring system as in claim 6 further comprising ayarn-break accumulator operatively connected to said yarn breakdetectors at a plurality of stations for counting and indicating thetotal number of detected yarn breaks.

9. A process monitoring system as in claim 6 for use with a yarn windingmachine also having a slub detector at each sta' tion, said systemfurther comprising:

a bad knot accumulator operatively connected to a plurality of said badknot detectors for counting and indicating the total number of detectedbad knots.

10. A process monitoring system as in claim 6 further comprising:

at least one rejected bobbin detector for detecting rejected bobbinsstill having a residue of yarn left thereon, and

a rejected bobbin accumulator operatively connected to said rejectedbobbin detector for counting and indicating the total number of detectedreject bobbins still having a residue of yarn left thereon.

11. For use with a winder which transfers yarns wound on spinningbobbins to cones, a rejected bobbin count accumulator system,comprising:

a bobbin feeler mounted to contact rejected bobbins having residue yarnthereon;

a bobbin yarn switch linked to said bobbin feeler and normally in afirst position and mounted to be actuated to a second position byrejected bobbins having residue yarn thereon, said switch returning tosaid first position after said bobbin having residue yarn thereon haspassed said bobbin feeler;

a capacitor in circuit with said switch to be charged when said switchis moved to its second position; and

a rejected bobbin counter in circuit with a power supply and said switchfor being actuated by the discharge of said capacitor when said switchis returned to said first positions to register the passing of arejected bobbin having residue yarn thereon by said bobbin feeler.

12. A rejected bobbin count accumulator system as in claim 11 furtherincluding:

a first resistor in circuit between said power supply and said switch;

a transistor in circuit between said counter and said capacitor;

a second resistor in circuit between a base electrode of said transistorand said switch; and

a third resistor in circuit between said switch and said capacitor.

13. In combination with a winding machine having a winding station forwinding continuous material, a device for connecting free ends of thematerial, a break detector and means for detecting faulty connectionsand a failure detector connected to the said means and for counting apredetermined number of successive faulty connections; a monitoringsystem comprising:

a condition detector associated with the break detector and the failuredetector, and for producing a first output to indicate when either thebreak detector or the failure detector is actuated and a second outputwhen neither the break detector nor the failure detector are actuated.

14. A monitoring system according to claim 13 and for a machine having aplurality of winding stations, each station having a break detector,means for detecting faulty connections and a failure detector forcounting a predetermined number of successive faulty connections.

15. A monitoring system according to claim 13 for a winding machinewherein the continuous material is wound from a supply holder on to areceiving holder, the machine including at each winding station aquantity detector for sensing when the quantity of material wound on tothe receiving holder has reached a predetermined value.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein the quantity detector is alsoassociated with the condition detector so that the condition detectorproduces a first output when the break detector, the quantity detectoror the failure detector is activated and a second output when neitherthe break detector, the quantity detector nor the failure detector areactivated.

17. A monitoring system in combination with a machine in which acontinuous material is moved relative to a station which includes adetector for detecting a discontinuity in the continuous material, adevice for connecting free ends of the continuous material, means fordetecting faulty connections made between free ends of the material anda failure detector for counting the number of faulty connections, themonitoring system comprising:

a condition detector associated with the discontinuity detector and withthe failure detector, the condition detector producing a first outputwhen either the discontinuity detector or the failure detector isactuated.

18. A monitoring system according to claim 17 wherein the conditiondetector produces a second output when neither the break detector northe failure detector is actuated.

19. A system according to claim 17 and for a machine having a pluralityof stations each including a continuity detector, means for detectingfaulty connections and a failure detector for counting the number ofsuccessive faulty connections.

20. In combination, a yarn winding machine comprising:

1. a plurality of bobbin-cone stations for winding yarn from a bobbinonto a cone,

2. an automatic knot tier for connecting loose ends of yarn,

3. a yarn break detector at each station for detecting a broken yarncondition thereat,

4. a bad knot detector at each station for detecting unacceptable knotsproduced by said automatic knot tier thereat,

. a failure detector at each station connected to its associated badknot detector for sensing a predetermined number of successive bad knotsduring operation of said automatic knot tier thereat which number isinterpreted as a failure to cause subsequent bypassing of that stationby the automatic knot tier until the reason for the failure has beencorrected and the failure detector reset,

6. a full-cone sensor at each of said stations for sensing when therespectively associated cone if filled with yarn, 7. a conditiondetector means at each of said stations, which condition detector isconnected to its respectively associated yarn break detector, full-conesensor and failure detector for sensing the operating condition at eachstation by providing a first output condition to indicate stationnonoperation when any one of said yarn break detector, said full-conedetector or said failure detector is then activated and a second outputcondition to indicate station operation when none of said yarn breakdetector, said full-cone detector or said failure detector have beenactivated, and

8. stationary electronic scanning means connected to a plurality of saidstations for successively and repetitively interrogating the conditiondetector means respectively corresponding thereto for recording andaccumulating the number of occurrences of at least one of the first andsecond output conditions instantaneously existing at each scannedstation during any interrogation period,

said stationary electronic scanning means including predeterminedcounter means for automatically stopping the interrogation of saidplurality of stations after a predetermined number of stationinterrogations have occurred whereby a direct indication of efficiencyis provided.

21. For use in combination with a winder and with a spindle electricalcircuit associated therewith having three-phase electrical inputs, anelectrical tension motor in circuit therewith, a first switch in circuitwith said motor, an indicator in circuit with at least one of saidinputs and a second switch in circuit with said indicator, a yarn-breakaccumulator system comprising:

rectifier means for connection in circuit with said first switch and forproviding a rectified signal; filter means in circuit with saidrectifier means for providing a filtered DC voltage;

pulse forming means in circuit with said filter means for providingnarrow output pulses of an extremely short du ration;

first amplifier means in circuit with said pulse forming means foramplifying said output pulses;

first counter means in circuit with said amplifier means for countingthe number of yarn breaks which occur; and

a first isolation diode in circuit between said pulse-forming means andsaid first amplifier means to permit actuation of more than one of saidfirst switches when a plurality of said first switches are connected tosaid first amplifier means without adverse cross-coupling between saidplurality of first switches.

22. For a winding machine having a plurality of winding stations forwinding continuous material, a device for connecting free ends of thematerial, each station having a break detector, means for detectingfaulty connections and a failure detector connected to the said meansand for counting a predetermined number of successive faultyconnections; a monitoring system comprising:

a condition detector associated with the break detector and the failuredetector for producing a first output to indicate when the breakdetector or the failure detector is actuated and a second output whenneither the break detector nor the failure detector are actuated, and

a scanning means for scanning the output of the condition detectorassociated with each winding station and for accumulating at least ameasure of the number of condition detectors producing either of thesaid first and second outputs to automatically provide a directindication of the operational efficiency of the said machine aftercompleting a predetermined number of scanning cycles.

23. A monitoring system for a machine having a plurality of stations inwhich a continuous material is moved relative to a station, each stationincluding a detector for detecting a discontinuity in the continuousmaterial, a device for connecting free ends of the continuous material,means for detecting faulty connections made between free ends of thematerial and a failure detector for counting the number of faultyconnections, the monitoring system comprising:

a condition detector associated with the discontinuity detector and withthe failure detector of each station, the condition detector producing afirst output when the discontinuity detector or the failure detector isactuated, and a second output when neither the break detector nor thefailure detector is actuated, and

a scanning means for scanning the output of the condition detectorassociated with each station and for accumulating at least a measure ofthe number of condition detectors producing either of the said first andsecond outputs to automatically provide a direction indication of theoperational efficiency of the said machine after completing apredetermined number of scanning cycles.

1. For use in combination with a winder and with a spindle electricalcircuit associated therewith having electrical inputs, an electricaltension motor in circuit therewith, a first switch in circuit with saidmotor, an indicator in circuit with at least one of said inputs and asecond switch in circuit with said indicator, a yarn-break accumulatorsystem and an indicator accumulator system comprising: rectifier meansfor connection in circuit with said first switch and for providing arectified signal; filter means in circuit with said rectifier means forproviding a filtered DC voltage; pulse forming means in circuit withsaid filter means for providing narrow output pulses; first amplifiermeans in circuit with said pulse forming means for amplifying saidoutput pulses; first counter means in circuit with said amplifier meansfor counting the number of yarn breaks which occur, a voltage dividerhaving a central terminal for connection in circuit with said secondswitch; a pulse-forming network in circuit with said voltage divider;second amplifier means in circuit with said pulse-forming network foramplifying the pulses from said network; second counter means iN circuitwith said amplifier means for counting the number of times saidindicator is energized, and further in combination with an efficiencysampling gate means in circuit with said rectifier means and with saidsecond switch; a scanner terminal in circuit with said gate means; athird switch in circuit with said gate means; third amplifier means incircuit with said third switch; and a third counter in circuit with saidamplifier means for indicating the efficiency of operation of saidwinder.
 2. an automatic knot tier for connecting loose ends of yarn, 2.A combination as in claim 1 further including a third isolation diode incircuit between said third switch and said third amplifying means.
 3. Acombination as in claim 2 wherein said sampling gate means includes: anOR-circuit having inputs in circuit with said second switch and withsaid rectifier means; and an inverter circuit coupled to the output ofsaid OR circuit.
 3. a yarn break detector at each station for detectinga broken yarn condition thereat,
 4. A combination as in claim 3 furtherincluding a machine-run switch in circuit with said third counter forpreventing actuation of said third counter when said machine-run switchis open.
 4. a bad knot detector at each station for detectingunacceptable knots produced by said automatic knot tier thereat,
 5. Acombination as in claim 2 including a like plurality of said yarn-breakaccumulator systems, said indicator accumulator system and saidefficiency monitor systems and further including: a power supply;predetermined counter means in circuit with said power supply fordetermining the total number of samplings; pulser means in circuit withsaid predetermined counter means for providing pulses in response to anoutput from said predetermined counter means; and stepper means incircuit with said pulser means and said predetermined counter means forsequentially electrically coupling said power supply to predeterminedgroups of said scanner terminals.
 5. a failure detector at each stationconnected to its associated bad knot detector for sensing apredetermined number of successive bad knots during operation of saidautomatic knot tier thereat which number is interpreted as a failure tocause subsequent bypassing of that station by the automatic knot tieruntil the reason for the failure has been corrected and the failuredetector reset,
 6. a full-cone sensor at each of said stations forsensing when the respectively associated cone if filled with yarn,
 6. Aprocess monitoring system for monitoring the operations of a yarnwinding machine comprising a plurality of bobbin-cone stations forwinding yarn from a bobbin onto a cone, said machine also including anautomatic knot tier for connecting loose ends of yarn, and, at eachstation thereof, a yarn break detector, a bad knot detector and afailure detector connected to the bad knot detector for sensing apredetermined number of successive bad knots, said monitoring systemcomprising: a full cone detector at each of said stations for sensingwhen said cone if filled with yarn, a condition detector means at eachof said stations connected to its respectively associated said yarnbreak detector, to said full cone detector and to said failure detectorfor sensing the operating condition of its associated station byproviding a first output condition to indicate a nonoperating conditionwhen either said yarn break detector, said full cone detector or saidfailure detector has been activated and a second output condition toindicate an operating condition when neither said yarn break detector,said full cone detector nor said failure detector have been activated,stationary electronic scanning means operatively connected to aplurality of said stations, for successively and repetitivelyinterrogating a respectively corresponding plurality of said conditiondetector means and for recording and accumulating at least one of theinstantaneous conditions thereof, and predetermine counter means forautomatically terminating the interrogation after a predetermined numberof scanning cycles to thereby provide a direct efficiency indicationafter said predetermined number of scanning cycles by counting andaccumulating the percentage of successful station operating time duringa predetermined time period during which each station''s condition issuccessively and repetitively sampled said predetermined number oftimes.
 7. A process monitoring system as in claim 6 further comprising:a failure accumulator operatively connected to said yarn break detectorsat a plurality of stations for counting and indicating the total numberof detected failures.
 7. a condition detector means at each of saidstations, which condition detector is connected to its respectivelyassociated yarn break detector, full-cone sensor and failure detectorfor sensing the operating condition at each station by providing a firstoutput condition to indicate station nonoperation when any one of saidyarn break detector, said full-cone detector or said failure detector isthen activated and a second output condition to indicate stationoperation when none of said yarn break detector, said full-cone detectoror said failure detector have been activated, and
 8. stationaryelectronic scanning means connected to a plurality of said stations forsuccessively and repetitively interrogating the condition detector meansrespectively corresponding thereto for recording and accumulating thenumber of occurrences of at least one of the first and second outputconditions instantaneously existing at each scanned station during anyinterrogation period, said stationary electronic scanning meansincluding predetermined counter means for automatically stopping theinterrogation of said plurality of stations after a predetermined numberof station interrogations have occurred whereby a direct indication ofefficiency is provided.
 8. A process monitoring system as In claim 6further comprising a yarn-break accumulator operatively connected tosaid yarn break detectors at a plurality of stations for counting andindicating the total number of detected yarn breaks.
 9. A processmonitoring system as in claim 6 for use with a yarn winding machine alsohaving a slub detector at each station, said system further comprising:a bad knot accumulator operatively connected to a plurality of said badknot detectors for counting and indicating the total number of detectedbad knots.
 10. A process monitoring system as in claim 6 furthercomprising: at least one rejected bobbin detector for detecting rejectedbobbins still having a residue of yarn left thereon, and a rejectedbobbin accumulator operatively connected to said rejected bobbindetector for counting and indicating the total number of detected rejectbobbins still having a residue of yarn left thereon.
 11. For use with awinder which transfers yarns wound on spinning bobbins to cones, arejected bobbin count accumulator system, comprising: a bobbin feelermounted to contact rejected bobbins having residue yarn thereon; abobbin yarn switch linked to said bobbin feeler and normally in a firstposition and mounted to be actuated to a second position by rejectedbobbins having residue yarn thereon, said switch returning to said firstposition after said bobbin having residue yarn thereon has passed saidbobbin feeler; a capacitor in circuit with said switch to be chargedwhen said switch is moved to its second position; and a rejected bobbincounter in circuit with a power supply and said switch for beingactuated by the discharge of said capacitor when said switch is returnedto said first positions to register the passing of a rejected bobbinhaving residue yarn thereon by said bobbin feeler.
 12. A rejected bobbincount accumulator system as in claim 11 further including: a firstresistor in circuit between said power supply and said switch; atransistor in circuit between said counter and said capacitor; a secondresistor in circuit between a base electrode of said transistor and saidswitch; and a third resistor in circuit between said switch and saidcapacitor.
 13. In combination with a winding machine having a windingstation for winding continuous material, a device for connecting freeends of the material, a break detector and means for detecting faultyconnections and a failure detector connected to the said means and forcounting a predetermined number of successive faulty connections; amonitoring system comprising: a condition detector associated with thebreak detector and the failure detector, and for producing a firstoutput to indicate when either the break detector or the failuredetector is actuated and a second output when neither the break detectornor the failure detector are actuated.
 14. A monitoring system accordingto claim 13 and for a machine having a plurality of winding stations,each station having a break detector, means for detecting faultyconnections and a failure detector for counting a predetermined numberof successive faulty connections.
 15. A monitoring system according toclaim 13 for a winding machine wherein the continuous material is woundfrom a supply holder on to a receiving holder, the machine including ateach winding station a quantity detector for sensing when the quantityof material wound on to the receiving holder has reached a predeterminedvalue.
 16. A system according to claim 15 wherein the quantity detectoris also associated with the condition detector so that the conditiondetector produces a first output when the break detector, the quantitydetector or the failure detector is activated and a second output whenneither the break detector, the quantity detector nor the failuredetector are activated.
 17. A monitoring system in combination with amachine in which a continuous material is moved relative to a stationwhich includes a detector For detecting a discontinuity in thecontinuous material, a device for connecting free ends of the continuousmaterial, means for detecting faulty connections made between free endsof the material and a failure detector for counting the number of faultyconnections, the monitoring system comprising: a condition detectorassociated with the discontinuity detector and with the failuredetector, the condition detector producing a first output when eitherthe discontinuity detector or the failure detector is actuated.
 18. Amonitoring system according to claim 17 wherein the condition detectorproduces a second output when neither the break detector nor the failuredetector is actuated.
 19. A system according to claim 17 and for amachine having a plurality of stations each including a continuitydetector, means for detecting faulty connections and a failure detectorfor counting the number of successive faulty connections.
 20. Incombination, a yarn winding machine comprising:
 21. For use incombination with a winder and with a spindle electrical circuitassociated therewith having three-phase electrical inputs, an electricaltension motor in circuit therewith, a first switch in circuit with saidmotor, an indicator in circuit with at least one of said inputs and asecond switch in circuit with said indicator, a yarn-break accumulatorsystem comprising: rectifier means for connection in circuit with saidfirst switch and for providing a rectified signal; filter means incircuit with said rectifier means for providing a filtered DC voltage;pulse forming means in circuit with said filter means for providingnarrow output pulses of an extremely short duration; first amplifiermeans in circuit with said pulse forming means for amplifying saidoutput pulses; first counter means in circuit with said amplifier meansfor counting the number of yarn breaks which occur; and a firstisolation diode in circuit between said pulse-forming means and saidfirst amplifier means to permit actuation of more than one of said firstswitches when a plurality of said first switches are connected to saidfirst amplifier means without adverse cross-coupling between saidplurality of first switches.
 22. For a winding machine having aplurality of winding stations for winding continuous material, a devicefor connecting free ends of the material, each station having a breakdetector, means for detecting faulty connections and a failure detectorconnected to the said means and for counting a predetermined number ofsuccessive faulty connections; a monitoring system comprising: acondition detector associated with the break detector and the failuredetector for producing a first output to indicate when the breakdetector or the failure detector is actuated and a second output whenneither the break detector nor the failure detector are actuated, and ascanning means for scanning the output of the condition detectorassociated with each winding station and for accumulating at least ameasure of the number of condition detectors producing either of thesaid first and second outputs to automatically provide a directindication of the operational efficiency of the said machine aftercompleting a predetermined number of scanning cycles.
 23. A monitoringsystem for a machine having a plurality of stations in which acontinuous material is moved relative to a station, each stationincluding a detector for detecting a discontinuity in the continuousmaterial, a device for connecting free ends of the continuous material,means for detecting faulty connections made between free ends of thematerial and a failure detector for counting the number of faultyconnections, the monitoring system comprising: a condition detectorassociated with the discontinuity detector and with the failure detectorof each station, the condition detector producing a first output whenthe discontinuity detector or the failure detector is actuated, and asecond output when neither the break detector nor the failure detectoris actuated, and a scanning means for scanning the output of thecondition detector associated with each station and for accumulating atleast a measure of the number of condition detectors producing either ofthe said first and second outputs to automatically provide a directionindication of the operational efficiency of the said machine aftercompleting a predetermined number of scanning cycles.